It's time to tell readers about The University Club,
an organization of men in Fostoria, organized Jan. 30, 1908, and still
effectively functioning, accord- ing to its original precepts.

Preliminary meetings, prior to organization, were held
at 336 S. Main St., the home of Dr. C.N. Hatfield, where Mrs. Hatfield
(Edna) and daughter, Helene, lived for many years until their recent
deaths.

J.D. Asire took an active part during the organization
period and probably some of the preliminary meetings were held at
that home at 325 S. Main St. Asire and his father were undertakers
(morticians).

Thirty years later (1938) Fred Warren, superintendent
of schools, in a paper prepared for delivery at a regular meeting,
reminded members what the organ- izing group considered and incorporated
in its constitution.

ORIGIN OF NAME

"University Club...the name 'university' has no allusion
to the higher col- leges of that name, or even to higher education
or to the college qualifica- tions of members. It corresponds to use
of the name by ancient workmen's guilds: 'University'...(Latin, 'uni'--
one, plus 'bertere,' 'versum' to turn) equals 'to turn into one,'
and may be freely defined as a 'self-centered group of persons associated
in a distinct province of thought and investiga- tions.

"The club motton--'Investigate.'

"The club badge--upper button of vest unfastened ('in
vest, a gate'); a sym- bol or sign of unbossoming one's self in a
company of close friends.

"Object--"the increase and diffusion of knowledge among
its members.

"Method--The preparation and presentation of 30-minute
papers on selected sub- jects by each member and discussions by all
members; travelogues by members; lectures by non-members.

SMALL MEMBERSHIP

"Membership--Not to exceed 15 male residents of Fostoria,
Ohio; that number considered large enough to include all eligible
at any one time, and small enough to afford a sufficient forum. Active
members of four or more years may become graduate members at their
request.

Unlike the names of their counterparts in most organizations,
the officers are regent, vice-regent, chronicler, bursar. Regular
meetings are held semi- monthly, but not during summer months.

No attempt will be made to publish Mr. Warren's complete
paper of 1938, how- ever, in his own inimitable sytle, here are a
few of his remarks that will help readers get a clearer view of the
club and its members.

"The history of this club has been long and honorable.
No one has ever been a member of the club without being benefitted
by it, and without making a con- tribution to it. There is a unity
and an ideal that binds us together. And yet no two of us are alike...thank
goodness.

"We usually have no axes to grind, but if we do we grind
them well."

TOAST THE LADIES

"We toast the ladies three times a year and roast them
between times.

"We serve the community by advancing intelligence and
broadening the outlook.

"We are pacifists until someone steps on our toes.

"We are knights of old with armor that shines from within.

"We are religious as only men of intelligence and vision
can be.

"Our membership is cosmopolitan. We include no only
university men but also, figuratively speaking, the butcher, the baker,
the candelstick maker...the latter always being graduates of the University
of Hard Knocks."

In the preparation of this article I had the rare opportunity
and privilege of going through a box full of club records dating back
to 1908. Therein, I came upon some papers prepared by members, and
some whose names had not been registered by the writers. As I sorted
them piece-by-piece, I discovered in- teresting subjects, which I
daresay were never published after being delivered to the club members.
The names and faces of many of the authors were known to me, and I
can recall them from my younger days seeing them about town.

FIRST PAPER 1908

The first paper ever presented to the club was Jan.
30, 1908, by Dr. C.N. Hat- field and pertained to some problems in
selecting members for a very limited membership, and other matters
about organization. His original handwritten paper is still available.

Judd Asire presented a paper Feb. 13, 1908, on "Practical
Forestry" and at a later date on "Is Cremation Coming?"

"English and American Schools" was the paper presented
by R. W. Solomon, su- perintendent of schools, on April 22, 1909.

"Public Sanitation,"--author and ate of delivery unknown.

"The immigrant,"--author and date unknown.

"Better Health Habits," by Dr. N.C. Miller.

"The Olympic Games," Feb. 25, 1909, by C.N. Hatfield.

"The Rise and Value of Discussion," by the Rev. C.G.
Martin.

"Coal to Win The War" (probably World War I, 1918),
author unknown.

"The Developments of Artifical Lighting," by H.S. Black.

"Microscopy," by George M. Gray.

ROSTER TELLS STORY

In Fred Warren's paper, quoted heretofore, he said,
"It would be useless and unnecessary to go into the personnel..."
and for his paper that may have been true, but I differ with that
very able educator for this instance. This is the first time, to my
knowledge, that The University Club has been editorial- ized so extensively,
and it might be the last. The complete membership of the club since
its inception is in order for the record and in itself will perhaps
tell as much about the organization as anything else that could be
written. So here it is:

As you are reading about the Fostoria University Club
this evening, they with their ladies are having dinner at the Fostoria
Country Club. I presume there will be reminiscing about the club's
long and interesting history.